21 Jan 2012

Dead whales to be buried on beach

5:44 pm on 21 January 2012

Four whales have been found dead on Papamoa Beach in Bay of Plenty.

The Department of Conservation says the whales were found on Saturday morning and are being buried on the beach.

A spokesperson says it is unclear what species they are or how they died.

Maritime New Zealand says it appears unlikely there is any connection between the stranding of the container ship, Rena, and the whales' deaths.